16th December 2018 Current Affairs
NRTI dedicated to the Nation
- The Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal dedicated the National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI), India’s first Railway University, to the nation in Vadodara on 15 December 2018.
- It is third such university in the world after Russia and China.
- The Railway University began its operations on 5th September 2018.
Philippines' Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe 2018
- Philippines’ Catriona Gray has been crowned Miss Universe 2018, becoming the fourth woman from the country to win the title.
- Tamaryn Green from South Africa was named the first runner-up while Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez stood third at the pageant which was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
- India was represented by 22-year-old Nehal Chudasama, who couldn’t qualify for top 20.
552-carat diamond found in Canada, largest in North America
- A 552-carat yellow diamond has been found in Canada, the largest known discovery in North America.
- The diamond was unearthed at the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories in October by mining company Dominion Diamond Mines, which made the announcement earlier this week.
- The “astonishing gemstone” will not be sold in its rough form, the company said.
PV Sindhu Becomes 1st Indian To Win BWF World Tour Finals
- PV Sindhu made history, becoming the first Indian to win the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals tournament.
- Sindhu came up against a familiar foe in Nozomi Okuhara in the title clash but unlike her previous meetings, the Indian superstar showed much more patience in her gameplay against the Japanese.
Djokovic and Halep wins 2018 ITF world champions
- Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep have been named as the 2018 International Tennis Federation (ITF) world champions by the governing body of global tennis.
- World number one Djokovic receives the honour from the ITF for the sixth time, while it is the first year that Romania’s top-ranked Halep has been recognized.
- Djokovic had a maximum speed of 36.02kph, better than anyone else but was second to Andy Murray in terms of average speed, the Brit scoring 15.89 kph as compared to Djokovic’s 14.89 kph.
- Halep, the former French Open finalist, had a maximum speed with 23.04 kph while World No. 1 Angelique Kerber’s average speed at 14.27 was the highest.
Belgium beat Netherlands to win men's Hockey World Cup for 1st time
- Belgium defeated Netherlands in the final in Bhubaneswar on Sunday to clinch the men’s Hockey World Cup for the first time.
- Both the teams failed to score in the regulation time, after which Belgium beat the three-time champions 3-2 in the shootouts.
- This is the second consecutive time that Netherlands finished second in the tournament.
Vijay Diwas celebrated on 16 December
- Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year in India on 16 December.
- The day marks the Indian military’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 during the war for the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
- On this day, 93,000 members of Pakistani troops surrendered to the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini, calling an end to the Indo-Pak war of 1971.
Bhupesh Baghel named as new Chhattisgarh Chief Minister
- State Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel was on Sunday named as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.
- This is the third time Baghel has won from the Patan seat in Chhattisgarh, winning twice when the constituency was part of undivided Madhya Pradesh.
- Congress ousted BJP in Chhattisgarh after 15 years by winning 68 out of 90 seats.
Cyclone Phethai likely to hit Andhra today, alert sounded
- Cyclone Phethai is predicted to make a landfall in Andhra Pradesh by Monday afternoon and an alert has been sounded in the state.
- Fishing has been suspended and those out on sea have been advised to return to coasts.
- The South-Central Railway has made arrangements to handle emergency situations and keep employees ready to undertake relief work.
Try out the quiz ?
Q1. The Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal dedicated the National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI), this is India’s first Railway University situated in which city?
The Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal dedicated the National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI), India’s first Railway University, to the nation in Vadodara on 15 December 2018.
Q2. Who has been crowned as Miss Universe 2018?
Philippines' Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe 2018
Q3. 552-carat yellow diamond has been found in which country?
552-carat diamond found in Canada, largest in North America
Q4. who has made history becoming the first Indian to win the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals tournament?
PV Sindhu made history, becoming the first Indian to win the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals tournament.
Q5.Who receives the honour from the ITF for the sixth time?
Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep have been named as the 2018 International Tennis Federation (ITF) world champions by the governing body of global tennis. World number one Djokovic receives the honour from the ITF for the sixth time, while it is the first year that Romania's top-ranked Halep has been recognized.
Q6.Who has won men's Hockey World Cup for 1st time?
Belgium beat Netherlands to win men's Hockey World Cup for 1st time
Q7. Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year in India on which day?
Vijay Diwas celebrated on 16 December
Q8. who will be the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh?
Bhupesh Baghel named as new Chhattisgarh Chief Minister
Q9. Cyclone Phethai likely to hit in which state?
Cyclone Phethai likely to hit Andhra today, alert sounded